The Inaugural Coffs Harbour Skate, Ink & Rhyme Festival is a cultural gathering of everything art. This event will be made up of local and travelling tattoo artists, Musicians, Graffiti artists, Skateboarders and lots more. FOCUS had a chat with event organiser Rhianon Taylor …

The event will be jam packed full of fun for the whole family, including live music, skateboarding demonstrations and workshops, live graffiti, retail/food vendors, children’s entertainment and lots more.

We have a range of selected tattoo artists performing body art on the day; come down check the artists out and get tattooed.

Where did the idea for the event come from?

I want to change the community’s perspective, educate us on the culture of Skate, Ink & Rhyme and how valuable it actually is in our community when we are inclusive and appreciate difference.

I have travelled to many different tattoo, music and skateboarding events and have always wondered if we can have a similar event here in Coffs Harbour. We have all the resources and culturally aware people to do so.

So, I started looking into the nitty gritty of putting on such an event. There was lots of hard work and support from many local businesses and the council – there was some nervousness, as nothing like this has ever happened in Coffs Harbour before – but with the right understanding and developing relationships, the council embraced us and this event.

We have a range of talented artists, some local and some travelling. All the research has been done for you to bring a variety of artists to this event. They will have designs “Flash” available for you to look at and choose to get tattooed, special prices, unique designs. We have 24 artists, just to name a few – Ash Gravino, Eloise Lydford from Samsara Tattoo Studio, Keegan Ryan from Happily Ever Inked, Cameron Schenk and Shaun Mifsud from Absolute Tattoo, Ciana Wilson from Squall and Anchor, Jacob from Impact Tattoos and lots more.

We are running tattoo competitions on the day, eight different categories, 22 trophies to be won, judged by well respected artists. Come and show off your art and win some prizes.

Who are some of the music acts and attractions people can look forward to seeing?

Again, we have a range of music for all to enjoy, from local hip hop acts, duo acoustic loop pedal percussionist to punk, hard metal and rock bands, Meridian Theory, Son of Jaguar, The Outcome, The Fingerz, Café Enema, Vera Beach, Jessamine B and more.

Is the event child friendly?

Yes, this event is child friendly; children under five are free. We have family passes available.

There is lots of fun for your children, including Bayden’s Jumping Castles, Micarla Marshall Face painting, circus play area and more.